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How glue metal to wood?

Hi- I’m attaching a wooden base to a vintage metal table lamp.
I’ve inserted a screw thru the wooden base and into the central column of the lamp, but it’s still a bit wobbly, so I think I need to glue the central column to the base for stability.

what is the best glue to use? Or, any alternative ideas?

Thank you in advance!

Judith

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Jewelleryrescue

Hi @Judith2

I would use araldite super strength found at bunnings it is about as strong as glues can come and will remove the wobble for sure.

I have used it to glue metal car starter motor soleniod casing back together once and it worked just plain arildite.

It looks like the metal bowl supported on several points as a bonus so unless that stand takes a big fall you should have a winner.

Looks like some hot glue? there already you would be best to take that off to give the aradite a nice clean surface to bond to.

Hope this helps.

JacobZ

Hi @Judith2,

As @Jewelleryrescue has mentioned, Araldite is a great option for gluing metal to timber. It will give a nice strong hold that should stop some of the wobble.

Ultimately, the best way to stop wobbling is to create tension, which can be done with a screw or bolt like you have done.

Can I ask if there's a thread where you've inserted the bolt?

Or is it simply going up into the metal acting more as a rod than a bolt?

If so, a better option might be to attach a nut to the inside of the metal cavity with Araldite and then screw the bolt into the nut to create that tension.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Judith2

Thank you Jewelry Rescue and Jacob-

both suggestions are very helpful- good old fashioned arose to the rescue (once I’ve removed the current messy glue!

Jacob, you’re right that the rod doesn’t have a thread inside- and I can see your suggestion to put a nut inside would be very helpful.
cheers,

Judith

JacobZ

Hi @Judith2,

Let me know how you go, I'm happy to help further if you require it along the way.

Jacob

Judith2

Hi Jacob-

The bolt coming from the base and into the rod is relatively short, as I don’t want it near the internal wiring of the lamp.

unfortunately the diameter of the bolt is nearly, but not quite the diameter of the inside of the rod, so the whole thing wobbles! I tried the glue, and then I tried using double sided mounting tape to try to pad the thread and fill the gap, but that didn’t work either. I fear I’m up against various laws of physics here, but would welcome any additional suggestions you might have!

thank you!

judith

Judith2

… should have added- couldn’t find a bolt with thin enough external surface that could fit over the bolt and then into the rod…

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @Judith2

A question from your original photos

Is that copper colored stem hollow with a power cord through it? The top photo shows inside the hub cap as sealled.

So not so where power is running.

But i have afurther idea that may work.

If you disconnect the copper shaft from the black hub cap lol

Look at the copper shaft now I am proposing a over sized flat washer like item out of your junk draw, 10mm thick approx with a diameter approx 40mm be inserted over the copper shaft then glued onto the shaft glued.

The whole goal is to glue on a base plate on the shaft for the black hub cap to sit on.

Thus increaing the glue surface area of the hub cap and copper washer base and this allows wire through the middle of the copper tube if this is whats happening.

Hope this makes some sens I dont have a good drawing program currently.

JacobZ

Hi @Judith2,

As I mentioned earlier, the problem is you're not creating any tension between the base and the lamp. Glue alone is never going to create enough tension to make the connection really solid.

Can you remove the bolt and the base and show me what the bottom of the lamp looks like? Can you also place a ruler or tape measure next to the rod for scale? Also, how far up the rod are you comfortable for a mechanical fixing to extend?

I'm thinking you might be able to use an expansion anchor such as a DynaBolt or masonry plug with a screw to create this tension.

Once you've provided the details I've asked for above, I'll assist further.

Jacob

Judith2

Hi Jacob,

yes, I do feel I might be trying to stretch the laws of physics with this one!

Here are some photos and measurements for your consideration- I’m thinking an expansion anchor might work….

i hope you can see the measurements in the pictures. Just to add, the lamp rests on 4 curved ‘feet’ you can see in the pictures- unfortunately they’re not level, and I’m not strong enuf to wrangle them! For the base, I’ve assembled 3 pieces- I can use 1, 2 or all 3 as I’d end up glueing them together…. You can see them separately in the pictures.

once again, all advice most welcome!

thank you!

judith

JacobZ

Hi @Judith2,

I have a few relatively inexpensive options that could work. I've put them in the order I think you should try them in.

It looks like the central column is roughly 10mm in diameter. You could try tapping a Taskmaster 10 x 38mm Timber Dowel into the metal column and then driving a fairly heavy gauge screw into the dowel. You'll need the dowel to fit extremely tight when you tap it in, so if it is slightly over 10mm, it might not work.

You could then try a Ramset 10 x 50mm DynaBolt Plus Hex Nut Bolt. Put it through the base into the column then tighten the nut so it expands. If it expands enough it should lock the base in place.

If the 10mm dowel and DynaBolt don't work, you could grab a Porta 12.7 x 12.7mm Pine Dowel and whittle the tip down with a knife so it is tapered. Remember to wear gloves while doing this to reduce the risk of lacerations. Once whittled so there is a taper, you should then tap it into the metal column as far as you can, so it is well and truly stuck. You can then cut the dowel off flush with the base and put a screw into it.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Judith2

Wow, Jacob! Wow! Thank you so much for these suggestions! I’ll try them, in order, and let you know how I go.

But in the meantime, Santa’s stocking is calling my name!

Merey Christmas!

Cheers,

Judith

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